Category Archives: Event

Awareness, Event, Local

Port Alberni may be the next Blue Community!

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As some have already discovered, several AVTTS members who also belong to Council of Canadians made a presentation at this week’s City Council meeting, asking that they declare Port Alberni a Blue Community — the third in Canada. We were well-received and pleasantly surprised by their promptness in adopting two out of three of the necessary resolutions on the spot. This was followed by great support and coverage in today’s AV Times (see links below). I’ve sent the paper a follow-up letter and a call for action by citizens, shown in full below. Please feel free to circulate the information freely. Thanks!

To read the editorial in the AV Times (“It is time to take our water woes seriously”):
http://www2.canada.com/albernivalleytimes/story.html?id=e1a23dc7-fd…

To read the report on the City Council presentation (“Council takes on challenge to be responsible for water”):

http://www2.canada.com/albernivalleytimes/news/story.html?id=74dd56…

(follow-up letter to AV Times dated August 24, 2011)

Dear Editor,

Many thanks to the AV Times for today’s fine editorial and coverage of the Blue Communities Project. It was a proud moment for our delegation when our Mayor and City Council readily adopted two of the three resolutions necessary to declare Port Alberni a Blue Community. For those readers who would like more information about the project, or who would like to download a short, free PDF copy of the Blue Communities Guide, please see the link below:

http://www.canadians.org/water/issues/Blue_Communities/resources.html

City Council members have received the Guide, and are studying the feasibility of adopting the third resolution. We encourage Port Alberni citizens to familiarize themselves with the project, and hope that people will feel inspired to send a brief email or note to our Council, expressing support for the third Blue Communities resolution. This is an excellent opportunity for Port Alberni to affirm its existing commitment to good water stewardship, and to set an example for communities across Canada.

Sincerely,
Marusha Taylor
Alberni Chapter, Council of Canadians

Awareness, Event, Food

Notes from Food Group meeting August 10, 2011 at Collins’ Farm

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(From Edna)

Janis Nairne brought news of the CMHA gardens, of their seeking a part-time co-ordinator, and of VIHA’s Community Agricultural Initiatives programme.
Klitsa Garden Club is hosting speaker Brian Minter at Echo Centre on October 3.
Rob Powelson reviewed the recent seminars “Plant Propagation” and “Winter Cropping”. Upcoming: “Preserving 101” August 23 at the Port Alberni Friendship Centre; “Herbaceous and Semi-Hardwood Propagation” August 26 and at Jericho Road Church. Permaculture B.C. will present “Food Forestry” September 17-18. There are 10 spaces left; cost is $200 + HST before August 15.
John Mayba reported that there will not be a Family Farm Tour this fall.
The new recycling centre on Third Avenue looks great.
Edna Cox will attend the Chamber of Commerce luncheon August 15 at which B.C. Minster of Agriculture Don McCrae is guest. AVTTS’ s question: How does the prov govt intend to promote consumption of local (B.C.0 products?
The Alberni Farmers Institute now has a website.
Diandra announced there will be an Urban Agriculture conference in Vancouver this fall. She will pass on details.
Diandra is involved in a food purchasing co-op “Sustain-Table”. She will bring more to our next meeting.

We discussed plans for our booth in the Stephens Building at the Fall Fair. Basic set-up and format will be as at last year’s Fair. An exciting addition will be an interactive “Magic Garden” show for children, thanks to the juggling and clowning talents of Sierra, who is presently working as a soil apprentice with Bob and Ann Collins.
Rob is packaging Red Russian Kale seed, donated by Dan Schubart, to hand out at the fair.
We plan to have copies of the Farm and Food Directory, as currently posted online, to hand out.

Volunteers are needed to man the Fall Fair booth from the evening of Thursday, Sept 8 through early afternoon of Sunday, Sept 11. Please call Edna Cox at 250-723-8362 if you are willing to help for a few hours – or more.
It was fun last year to talk with all the gardeners and wannabee gardeners young and old, and it was heartening to hear from folks concerned about food security and protection of farmland , as well as those who shared their growing experiences and how-to questions.